Demand light on slaughter animals
WEST PLAINS — Compared to last week, slaughter cows and bulls were $5 to $8 lower Wednesday at Ozarks Regional Stockyards. Demand was light on slaughter animals and moderate on replacement cattle. Total receipts were light at 272 head as triple-digit temperatures covered most of the area this week. Much of the region is showing the effects of insufficient rain and extreme heat, causing pasture conditions to quickly deteriorate with many creeks and ponds below normal levels or completely dried up.
Top Prices of the Day
• The top slaughter bull sold for $201/cwt.
• The top slaughter cow sold for $159/cwt.
• On the replacement side, the top bred cow sold for $3,700/head, with pairs not well tested.
Pricing Averages Snapshot
• Breaker Cows (75-80% dressing): Averaged $151.05/cwt.
• Boner Cows (80-85% dressing): Averaged $151.16/cwt.
• Lean Cows (85-90% dressing): Averaged $134.91/cwt.
• Slaughter Bulls (Yield Grade 1-2): Averaged $194.54/cwt.
Triple-digit heat and market instability limit supply
Compared to last week, feeder steers and heifers were steady to $4 lower Tuesday. There were too few calves under 700 lbs to establish a market, however undertones were lower. Demand was moderate on a light supply of 603 head. Heat returned to the Ozarks with near or above triple-digit temperatures predicted for the rest of the week. Heat and market instability kept cattle at home, except for those on dried-up pastures.
Market Highlights
• The largest draft of the day was 66 head of 786 lb colored-up steers which sold for $331.50/cwt.
• Feeder cattle supply over 600 lbs made up 56% of the live offering.
Pricing Snapshot (Per Cwt / Avg Price)
• Steers (Medium & Large 1):
◦ 402-441 lbs (434 lbs avg): Averaged $452.62.
◦ 612-629 lbs (618 lbs avg): Averaged $344.54.
◦ 704 lbs: Averaged $336.
◦ 782-786 lbs (786 lbs avg): Averaged $331.44.
◦ 873 lbs: Averaged $309.
• Heifers (Medium & Large 1):
◦ 502-537 lbs (526 lbs avg): Averaged $346.06.
◦ 614 lbs: Averaged $342.50.
Heavy demand for video offerings across two sales
The video market hosted offerings across both sale days. On Tuesday, demand was good on a heavy supply of 1,012 head reported sold out of 1,142 offered. All cattle offered were in Arkansas and Mississippi, with current deliveries through September 15. On Wednesday, an additional 100 replacement heifers located in Missouri sold through the video auction during the Cow and Bull Sale for current delivery on Friday.
Video Auction Highlights
• Southeast Steers (M&L 1, 645 lbs avg): Current delivery sold for $367.50/cwt.
• Southeast Steers (M&L 1, 825 lbs avg): Current delivery sold for $325/cwt.
• Southeast Steers (M&L 1, 913 lbs avg): Current delivery averaged $302.76/cwt.
• Southeast Heifers (M&L 1, 750 lbs avg): Current delivery sold for $312.50/cwt.
• Southeast Heifers (M&L 1-2, 975 lbs avg): Current delivery sold for $265/cwt.
• South Central Replacement Heifers (M&L 1, 750 lbs avg): Current delivery sold for $2,750 to $2,800/head (averaging $2,775/head).
Source: USDA AMS Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News MO Dept of Ag Market News - Dan Hill, Market Reporter Jefferson City, MO | (573) 751-5618 www.ams.usda.gov/lpgmn
